Dungy Memoir Hits No. 2 on NY Times Bestsellers List

By Kevin Jackson, Christian Post Reporter Monday, July 30, 2007

Super Bowl Champion Coach Tony Dungy can add yet another success to his list of accolades as his book has already debuted at the No. 2 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list among the hardcover, nonfiction books.

Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life, the biographical book written about the Indianapolis Colts coach, also moved up to No. 4 on Publisher Weekly's hardcover, nonfiction category this week and No. 35 in USA Today's "Top 150" for July 19.

Dungy, who is also the first African-American coach to win the Super Bowl, just finished up a nine-day coast-to-coast media tour to promote the memoir that included visits to New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Indianapolis, and Tampa. The tour, which made its mark with eight completely "sold out" book-signings, culminated with a visit to "The Late Show with David Letterman" on July 24.

"Tyndale House (the book's publisher) is gratified by the overwhelming response to Coach Dungy and his book," explained Tyndale Marketing Manager Yolanda Sidney in a statement. "It has been a delight to work with him, as well as the many retailers, media, and staff who have participated in the launch of Quiet Strength."

While Quiet Strength does mention Dungy's career in the NFL, a major purpose for the content is to highlight the coach's faith on and off the field. Through it, he hoped to show people that there is more to life than just sports, and that humans need God leading their steps no matter where they are.

"I really wanted to show people you can win all kinds of ways," explained the Colts head in his memoir. "For your faith to be more important than your job, for your family to be more important than that job … we all know that's the way it should be … I'm not afraid to say it."

The biography, written by Nathan Whitaker, has been doing so well that it just went into its fourth printing, putting more than 250,000 total copies into the market.

Dungy hopes that it will inspire many people to do more with their lives and give them a clear look at what is important.

"People look at me and see a calm, cool guy on the sidelines and I want them to know that my Christian faith affects my coaching and everything I do," said Dungy, according to the Associated Press. "Life is more than just jobs. It's more than just football and winning. It's filled with family and relationships."